Unlike federal elections, where voters are required to number every box, the optional preferential system applies at NSW state elections.

Voters must mark "1" in the square next to their first-choice candidate. They can also allocate preferences by numbering the other boxes.

Miranda was once a blue-ribbon Liberal seat, but voters have shown they won't be taken for granted.

Bill Robb held it for Labor from 1978-1984 during the Wran era.

Ron Phillips, who became the deputy leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party and Health Minister, was the MP from 1984-1999.

Barry Collier unexpectedly unseated Mr Phillips in 1999 and greatly increased his majority in 2003. He just hung on in 2007 and retired at the 2011 election.

Liberal Graham Annesley won the seat but quit recently to become chief executive of the Gold Coast Titans rugby league club.

CANDIDATE PROFILES

MURRAY SCOTT (THE GREENS)

MURRAY Scott, 68, of Heathcote, said high hopes for positive planning and environmental changes under the O'Farrell government had been dashed.

"The Greens are calling for changes that will deliver real community control over planning decisions so local people can protect what is precious to them and encourage new development that meets local needs," he said.

"For too long, state governments have been working hand-in-hand with the big developers, saying the only way to increase Sydney's population is to build Hong Kong-style apartment towers in place of much-loved garden suburbs.

"The government is proposing aggressive new planning laws designed to take powers from local councils, increase state government intervention and [to] weaken environmental planning standards.

"This is a direct breach of its 2011 pre-election promise to undo Labor's rotten planning changes and return planning powers to local councils."

Mr Scott will direct preferences to Labor.

Lisa Walters (Independent)

LISA Walters, 39, a projects manager, is a life-long Sutherland Shire resident who lives at Como.

This is the first election she has contested but says she has "no intention of winning".

"I was motivated to stand by the continued reduction of services in our area," she said.

"This is exemplified by the new rail timetable.

"The peak-period service cuts at Como and Jannali stations are the worst I have seen and will have a big impact on residents who travel each day to the city."

Ms Walters started a petition seeking changes to the timetable and hoped to get 10,000 signatures.

"Historically, voters in Miranda electorate choose either a Liberal or Labor candidate and that won't change," she said.

"Even to get 4.5 per cent of the vote to cover my costs will be a challenge.

"But, I want to give a voice to residents and if I make the seat more marginal the major parties will take more notice of it and deliver more for the area.

"I am a true Independent, so I am not directing preferences."

Barry Collier (Labor Party)

BARRY Collier, 63, of Kareela, held the seat of Miranda for the Labor Party for 12 years before retiring from politics at the 2011 election.

"With the community, we delivered long awaited and much needed infrastructure, such as the $344 million Cronulla rail duplication and the $89 million Sutherland Hospital redevelopment, as well as improvements in services," he said.

"It's quite clear that since the change of government the people of Miranda have not been getting the representation they deserve and are entitled to expect from their state MP.

"Even before Graham Annesley's resignation, I had people come to me seeking advice and assistance, with one lady at a local shop two months ago asking me if I was still her local member?"

Mr Collier said he felt "refreshed and reinvigorated" and had more goals he wanted to achieve for the electorate.

Allegations about Liberal-controlled Sutherland Shire Council reinforced the need for Miranda to have "a strong, effective and experienced voice in State Parliament".

George Capsis (Christian Democratic Party)

GEORGE Capsis, 66, of Woolooware, runs homeless services in Sutherland Shire and is active in community causes.

He served on Sutherland Shire Council from 2008 to 2012, and was deputy mayor for some of that time.

In 2001, as a Christian Democratic Party candidate, he went close to being elected to the Senate.

Mr Capsis, whose main policy is to to stop "overdevelopment" in the shire, said he was giving voters the chance to "send a message" to the major parties.

"Both the Liberals and Labor are on the nose at the moment and I want to give the community an alternative vote," he said.